“In here,” Dottie shouted back from the kitchen.
“How come you’re always in the kitchen when I come over?”
“There’s my sweet girl! How are you, Liv? I have missed you something awful.”
“Dottie, I have something important to talk to you about. You may call me crazy, but there’s something I want to do, and I want you to help me.”
Dottie listened as Liv spelled out her plans. “I know just the person you need to go see,” Dottie said. She got up from the table, and pulled out her address book.
“Her name is Jolene Baxter, and she’ll help with everything you need. You may have to go to Texas for a spell, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.”
“I’ll have to hire someone to work the boarding stables while I’m gone.”
“I’ve got just the fella. Wait for a minute and I’ll give you his number too before you leave.”
Liv rode Micah home, and went into the house to call Renie. Her daughter would be disappointed, but Liv had to do this.
“Hey, honey, how are you?” Liv asked when Renie answered.
“Good, Mom, how are you?”
“I’m fine. You sound tired.”
“Finals. Ugh. Two more weeks, I can’t wait to be finished and on my way home…”
“Listen, that’s why I’m calling. I have to cancel our trip to Europe.”
Silence.
“Renie? Are you there?”
“Mom, is this about Ben?”
“No, honey. This isn’t about Ben. This is about me. And before you say ask, I’m fine.”
“Okay, so what’s going on?”
“There’s something I have to do, and it means I’ll have to be away from home for a while. I can’t afford the time away to go to Europe and do this.”
“Okay…you’re being very cryptic.”
“We’ll talk more when you get home in a couple weeks. That is, if you’re still coming home.”
“Where else would I go? Is it okay if I come home?”
“Of course it’s okay, but you don’t have to. If you’re coming home for me, don’t. If there’s something you’d rather do, you should do it.”
“All right, crazy person. Whoever you are, can you please ask my mom to call me when you see her again?”
Liv laughed. “I miss you, sweetie, and I can’t wait to see you. Oh, and I hope you’re not too disappointed about our vacation.”
“No, I’m okay. But, Mom—what happened with you and Ben?”
“We both have to live our own lives, sweetheart. I care a lot about him, but I care about me more.”
Two weeks later, Liv picked Renie up from the airport, and told her what she planned to do.
“Can I go with you?” Renie asked.